Skinbetter Science Mystro Active Balance Serum
Works for
MoisturizingIsosorbide dicaprylate, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: isosorbide dicaprylate
Evens skin toneNiacinamide ~0.55–0.85%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
“• Significant improvement in the appearance of redness, skin texture, dullness, pore size and uneven pigmentation after 8 weeks of twice-daily use.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Astaxanthin, Thioctic acid + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (astaxanthin, thioctic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - haematococcus pluvialis extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Astaxanthin, Thioctic acid + 2 moreMay help
This product contains astaxanthin. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Copaifera officinalis resin, Humulus lupulus extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Copaifera officinalis resin~5.1–6.2%
Glycerin~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinButylene glycol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPropanediol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolyglyceryl-3 distearate~2–2.4%
Isosorbide dicaprylate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Early studies suggest that it can help strengthen the skin barrier
More about Isosorbide dicaprylateCetearyl glucoside~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideEthoxydiglycol~1.1–1.4%
Diheptyl succinate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin
More about Diheptyl succinateSqualane~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneNiacinamide~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePanax notoginseng root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Theobroma cacao leaf cell extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractMagnolia officinalis bark extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Echinacea purpurea extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea purpurea extractSophora japonica bud extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Humulus lupulus extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Hops extract. Can contain common irritants and allergens geraniol, limonene, linalool
More about Humulus lupulus extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractHydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronateHaematococcus pluvialis extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Green algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractAstaxanthin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation
More about AstaxanthinErgothioneine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineThioctic acid~0.25–0.5%
Sorbitan olivate~0.25–0.5%
Tocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCapryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamatePentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateTribehenin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninCetearyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholAcacia senegal gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumHydroxyethylcellulose~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Phenethyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhytic acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Copaifera officinalis resin, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 distearate, Isosorbide dicaprylate, Cetearyl glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Diheptyl succinate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Panax notoginseng root extract, Theobroma cacao leaf cell extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Magnolia officinalis bark extract, Echinacea purpurea extract, Sophora japonica bud extract, Humulus lupulus extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Thioctic acid, Sorbitan olivate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Tribehenin, Cetearyl alcohol, Acacia senegal gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid, Phytic acid, Sodium hydroxide
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Skinbetter ScienceMystro Active Balance SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Formula 10.0.6Mega Serum Vitamin E Restoring Face Serum | INNBEAUTY PROJECTPro C Serum | PCA SKINIntensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 83% | 81% |
| Price | $320.00 | — | $64.00−$256.00 | $120.00−$200.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 5 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Bakuchiol | Vitamin C | Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BY TERRY Hyaluronic Global SerumThe INKEY List CA Niacinamide 10% Serum
Product summary
"Skinbetter Science - Mystro Active Balance Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 4.20% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 129.50$ up to 225.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
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